Is the association between social capital and health robust across Nordic regions? Evidence from a cross-sectional study of older adults

Nyqvist F, Nygard M. Is the association between social capital and health robust across Nordic regions? Evidence from a cross-sectional study of older adults The study examined the association between structural and cognitive social capital and self-rated health among 65- and 75-year-olds in Vasterbotten in Sweden and osterbotten and Pohjanmaa in Finland. Data were retrieved from a cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey conducted in 2005 and was answered by 3,370 persons, yielding a total response rate of 69percent. The association between self-rated health and interpersonal trust and membership in organisations was tested by logistic regression analysis. The results showed that older adults in Vasterbotten in Sweden experienced better self-rated health than in Finland. Furthermore, interpersonal trust and active membership in organisations were associated with self-rated health among 65- and 75-year olds even after having controlled for the influence of region. We therefore conclude that the association between social capital and self-rated health tends to be robust across contextually similar regions, but that further analyses are warranted in order to clarify the nature of this relationship. Key Practitioner Message: center dot Health status can be indirectly strengthened through investments in social capital, such as group participation and active networks; center dot When working with older adults, more focus needs to be put on how to develop trustful relationships; center dot The Nordic welfare state, with its universal and subsidised social and health care services, has an indirect and positive effect on health among older adults.